Rail-crossing safety still an issue

1:33 PM,
Feb. 16, 2013

Lt. Col. John LeBlanc is executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

Written by

John LeBlanc

The horrific crash in Texas last November involving a train and a flatbed trailer that was part of a parade honoring veterans, is a reminder that, despite significant progress in safety, rail crossings must be approached with great caution.

The Texas crash resulted in multiple deaths and injuries among riders on the trailer.

Fortunately, crashes and deaths at railroad crossings have declined both in Louisiana and nationwide. The Federal Railroad Administration reports that, nationally, incidents at public and private crossings fell from 9,461 in 1981 to 1,956 in 2011. The national ...